3. Make sure you have the mobility to spread your wings

Flyers who can't extend their arms fully overhead or who can't lift their chest while keeping their hips down have a harder time flying. Unsurprisingly, they'll also have a tougher time staying active and injury-free in the gym.

Solution: Sparks and his fellow instructor, Nick Riedel, both practice yoga. Positions like child's pose stretch the shoulders, and a nice cobra pose will loosen up the back and hips.

Courtesy Image

4. Be ready for bodyweight resistance

Less experienced skydivers, who tend to stay tense throughout the flight, can burn up to 400 calories during just four minutes of flying. (After my eight minutes in the tunnel, my shoulders were blasted.)